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  • Pakistani White Pulao and Al Kort Fort

    I left Doha Sports City just before sunset. Exit from Villaggio Mall, went to Al Aziziyah Station, which was only 100 meters from door number four of this famous shopping mall.

    At the station entrance…..there was a slight conversation between me and a traveler.

    “Hello, do you want to go with the metro?”, said the curly youth, white skin and a typical Arab face but a little shorter than me.

    “Yes, brother,” I said briefly.

    “Use this ticket!, I will go back with the bus, You can use it”, he handed me the ticket.

    “Oh, No, thanks. I will buy a single journey ticket at downstair”, I politely refused because I had a wrong guess, I thought he was selling his ticket to me. I knew it was a Standard Day Pass ticket for 4 Rial.

    “Brother, just take it. I don’t need more because I will use the bus”, He seemed to hurry and slipped the ticket into my right hand.

    Oh my God….Turned out he gave it away for free. “Thank you very much, brother”, I briefly said.

    “I’m Donny from Indonesia, what is your name, brother?”, I asked before separating.

    “Said from Algeria …”, he smiled as he adjusted his green backpack and then hurriedly left me.

    “Thank you, Said”, I started down the escalator to Doha Metro platform.

    Pursuing the MRT, which was ready to going, a Filipino officer ordered me to entering the metro via luxurious Goldclub class wagon and then moved to the Standard class wagon behind it. Wow….. the Goldclub wagon offered a luxurious single seat like an airplane business seat, armrest seats which were separated from each other in a long line facing each other. Sitting in a standard wagon, I was taken along Gold Line to Souq Waqif Station, which was quite close to Al Ghanim Bus Station. I would take Karwa Bus number 12 to hotel.

    I still remembered a message from a hotel staff from Islamabad that tonight they invited me to cook together and ate their country’s signature dish, namely Pakistani White Pulao-a rice dish mixed with chopped carrots, vegetables and beans-.

    After taking a bath, it was true, they went into my room to hijack me and were taken to kitchen to join a impromptu chefs of Casper Hotel.

    Pakistani White Pulao…..Yummm.

    —-****—-

    The fourth dawn I felt in Qatar. I was a little lazy because fatigue and boredom became my new enemy. Towards ten in the morning, I started leaving for Al Ghanim Bus Station. Initially planned to head to Islamic Museum of Art. Oh, but….As soon as I arrived at the terminal, I thought again. My wallet stopped my intentions, it led me to find free destinations to save my budget.

    Trying to surf in internet by sitting relaxed in the terminal, I finally knew where I must to go. Msheireb….Yes, Msheireb!

    There was Msheireb Museum which was open for free to tourists there. I thought further….After visiting the museum, I was able to explore Msheireb Downtown Doha to see the concept of this planned city.

    You needed to know….MDD (Msheireb Downtown Doha) was a replacement city for Mushayrib District whose development was planned in great detail.

    I wandered along Ali Bin Abdullah Street, past the Gold Souq -a building with ten curved glass windows, a center for buying and selling gold-, passed the cash office of Qatar National Bank (QNB) Souq Waqif and then turned right at an intersection.

    Gold Souq.

    Before actually arriving at Msheireb Museum, my steps were stopped under an iconic building, which I myself understood from its shape that it was a defensive building or a fort. Later, I came to know it as Al Kort Fort.

    Also known as Doha Fort, this 140 year old building was built during the Ottoman Empire as a police station. Thirty-five years from its founding, this fort was turned into a prison at the end of the reign of the Ottoman Empire.

    Then history changed again when Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani, the third Emir of Qatar, rebuilt this fort as crime rates soared around Souq Waqif. It was said that a group of famous thieves appeared in the market area. So this fort became the security center of Souq Waqif at that time. In accordance with the characteristics of a desert fort, the building was square in shape with a rectangular tower at a corner and three round towers at the other three corners.

    Unfortunately, this fort was still under renovation so I couldn’t get into it. But that was okay, because I could quickly visit the Msheireb Museum.

    Do you want to know what the Msheireb Museum is like?…. It was a long story, you knew…. Be prepared to read with patience!

  • Bubbor Paddas: Mencicip Hidangan Para Raja

    Ojek online yang kupesan tampak mendekat dari sisi timur Jalan Rahadi Usman. Kendaraan itu berhasil menyeberang dengan susah payah di tengah arus jalanan yang padat.

    “Warong Pa’ Ngah ya, bang?”, pengemudi transportasi online itu mengonfirmasi tujuan.

    “Ya, bang”, aku singkat membenarkan.

    Destinasi berikutnya ini berada dua setengah kilometer di barat Taman Alun Kapuas. Hanya perlu waktu tak lebih dari sepuluh menit menyusuri Jalan Pak Kasih dan berakhir di sebuah sisi Jalan Komodor Yos Sudarso setelah melintasi aliran Sungai Jawi.

    Aku tiba di sebuah rumah makan dua tingkat yang merupakan hasil penggabungan dari dua unit rumah toko (ruko). Tampak rumah makan itu sudah memiliki pengunjung yang menempati beberapa meja.

    Aku mengambil tempat duduk bagian teras untuk mengurangi resiko penularan virus COVID-19. Tanpa pikir panjang karena terlalu lapar maka aku segera memesan menu andalan di rumah makan itu, yaitu Bubbor Paddas dan untuk minuman aku memilih Es Timun Serut untuk mendinginkan gerah tubuh sebagai dampak dari cuaca panas kota.

    Beberapa saat setelah memesan maka hidangan itu pun disajikan. Kuperhatikan dengan seksama  bahwa secara kasat mata Bubbor Paddas ini berwarna cokelat.

    Aku merasakan tekstur lembut dari tepung beras yang dipadukan dengan rempah dan potongan-potongan kecil sayuran seperti kangkung, tauge, daun pakis dan jagung. Semakin nikmat rasa bubur itu karena potongan-potongan daging sapi yang tersaji setengah tenggelam di dalam sajian bubur. Sementara aroma harum ditebarkan oleh bawang goreng yang berwarna cokelat muda. Sedangkan kacang goreng dan ikan teri disajikan terpisah untuk ditaburkan ketika hendak menyantap bubur ini.

    Walaupun bernama Bubbor Paddas atau Bubur Pedas ternyata rasanya tak terlalu pedas. Rasa pedas itu kurasakan berasal dari tekstur lada yang telah tercampur semenjak dihidangkan.

    Di tengah menikmati bubur, aku merasa bahwa satu porsi Bubbor Paddas tak akan mampu meredam rasa lapar yang teramat sangat. Akhirnya aku menambah pesanan dengan seporsi nasi putih untuk disantap bersama bubur. Dan strategiku cukup ampuh untuk membuat kenyang siang itu.

    Dan untuk menutup makan siang maka aku meneguk perlahn Es Timun Serut yang menyegarkan.

    Momen makan siang kala itu berhasil membuatku terkesan karena aku kembali mengoleksi satu dari sekian banyak jenis kuliner khas Kalimantan Barat. Bubbor Paddas merupakan makanan khas etnis Melayu Sambas.

    Inilah makanan kaum bangsawan yang dihidangkan pada acara-acara kesultanan yang kini bisa dinikmati oleh khalayak umum.

    Cukup murah untuk menebus menu makan siang itu, aku hanya membayar dengan harga Rp. 25.000 saja.

    Oh,ya….Selain Bubbor Paddas, Rumah Makan Pa’Ngah juga menyediakan menu special seperti  Bakso Sapid an berbagai jenis sop, seperti Kaki Sapi, Tulang Rusok, Buntot Sapi, Daging, Bandong.

  • Villaggio Mall’s Gondolania

    It was 2pm, there was still a little time before the chilly afternoon breeze arrived. I purposely put this destination as the closing of my third day exploration in Qatar. From the outside, nothing flashy, nothing special, it was just an ordinary building which had been open to the public since 2006. However, the large nameboard titled Gondolania Theme Park at the gate was able to convey an image in your head about what tourism concepts were offered in it.

    I replayed my trip memories, starting to unravel the memory of three years ago, when for the first time, I was fascinated by the shape of gondola which was visible by my naked eye at The Venetian, a famous shopping mall and casino in East Asia, Macau to be exact.

    Yups…. I ended my visit at Doha Sports City that afternoon by visiting Villaggio Mall. Mall on the outskirts of Al Waab Street (located between Hyatt Plaza and Sports City ) was developed by Gondolania Entertainment, therefore, the concept of gondola tourism in Venice was adopted in this famous shopping center.

    It was designed in 150 meter long indoor canal complete with its gondola. The main retailer at Villaggio Mall was Carrefour, but this shopping center also accommodated 200 stores selling well-known American, British, Italian and German brands.

    Come on, you who liked shopping, please stopped by here!

    I started from gate 4.

    Apparently the word “I LOVE (LOVE was symbolized by the heart)” which was famous in tourism promotion of every nation had also spread in Qatar. The nameboard greeted me in a hall right next to the entrance. Red and white, that was the dominant color, matched the colors of Qatar flag. Red jagged white, or white jagged red, I didn’t know?

    Go there if you wanted to take a photo!….Didn’t take a photo here!.
    The main hall was right under the dome.

    Leaving the glitz of main hall, I started down the mall corridor with fantasizing about the artificial blue sky on its roof, while the classic three-pointed black pillars were placed in consistent distances. Cafes and shops were nealy lined up in the left and right…..Mc Donalds, KFC, Pinkberry, Ocean Basket, Donuts & Coffee, Dunias, PF. Clarks, Applebees and Ognam were some of the culinary outlets which I could quickly find when I walked.

    Villaggio Mall Corridor.
    Villaggio Mall Corridor.

    I just followed the path which was designed by mall operator, until I finally found a room titled GONDOLANIA, a Funfair Theme Park which was the mainstay of shopping center. You could play Bungee Trampoline, Ferris Wheel, Viking, Catterpillar, Drop Tower, Roller Coaster, Chipmunks Rides, Carousel, Arcade Games, Ping Pong Toss, Ride on Robot, Dino Land, Toy Crain, Deal or No Deal Dance Reco, Basketball Games , Bump Car, Dragon Punch King of Hammer, Lazy River, you could also shop for toys at Toys4me and had fun at Gondolania Ice Rink.

    Gondolania Theme Park.

    Leaving the theme park, I was still curious to find what I’d been looking for….Finally, the Venice-style Gondola seemed to be rowing in the distance. A long canal branched through the giant space of shopping mall. Several tourists seemed to be queuing up to ride the gondola with Philippines rowers.

    Canal for gondola tours.
    Me and the gondola.

    Visiting Villaggio Mall for a moment, had killed my curiosity to see the duplication of Venice Gondola tours for second time. It didn’t take long, only thirty minutes to explore.

    Hmmhh, ouch….I remembered my promise to fulfill the invitation of hotel staff where I was staying. I rushed back, that afternoon I would cook Pakistani food with them. I thought the agenda would make me feel more relaxed after seventeen days of wandering away from home.

    Villaggio Mall parking area.

    My quick steps towards Al Aziziyah Station were stopped by a young man who was shorter than me. I was taken aback….What was this:

    Said: “Hello, do you want to go with the metro?”

    Me: “Yes, Brother”.

    Said:”Use this ticket, I will go back by bus, So you can use it”.

    Me: “Oh, thank you”.

    It would be stupid if I refused. Before he left, I had time to ask to get information about his origin….Algeria, North Africa….“My name is Said”, he said after I mentioned my name to him.

    I grabbed the ticket from him….”Oh this, the One Day Pass. He took the MRT all day apparently. Said is smart, instead of wasting it, he gave it to me….Hehehe” I thought understanding the reason Said gave me the ticket. An unexpected meeting that bestows sustenance. Now I was going back with free of charge.

    Al Aziziyah Station.

    Long story short, I took the Doha Metro Gold Line, stopped at Souq Waqif Station and continued with Karwa Bus No. 12 to the inn.

    Time to cooking……

  • Terkantuk di Taman Alun Kapuas

    Di bawah terik surya yang membakar, aku meninggalkan halaman depan Masjid Sultan Syarif Abdurrahman. Berjalan dari sisi tanggul beton sungai sempit, aku menuju dermaga demi mencari keberadaan perahu bermesin untuk menyeberangi Kapuas.

    Melompat dari area tanggul ke bagian jembatan kayu, aku berhasil menyeberangi sungai yang merupakan cabang kecil dari Sungai Kapuas dan mendekat ke lelaki tua yang berdiri di atas sebuah perahu.

    Tak menunggu lama maka terjadilah tawar menawar antara kami berdua.

    “Berapa pak berlayar ke seberang?”

    “Enam puluh ribu, dek….Saya antar keliling”, dia menjelaskan sembari menarik sebuah tambang demi menepikan perahunya.

    “Dua puluh lima ribu ya pak….Nyebrang saja ke tepi sebelah sana!”, aku menunjuk sebuah titik di sisi selatan.

    “Oh ga keliling ya, dek? ….Ya sudah, tiga puluh ribu ya, dek”.

    “Baik pak….Ayo kita menyeberang”.

    Kesepakatan pun tercapai dan pelayaran pun dimulai.

    Tentu ini bukan menjadi yang pertama kali menaiki perahu. Dulu aku pernah menjadi pengemudi perahu yang hebat ketika bekerja di sebuah perusahaan perikanan di Waduk Jatiluhur. Oleh karenanya, aku tak begitu terpesona ketika berada di atas perahu. Satu-satunya yang membuatku terkesan hanyalah hamparan luas Sungai Kapuas yang mengisi ruang pengalamanku saja.

    Perahu mesin itu tiba di sisi selatan dengan cepat. Perahu merapat ke dermaga dan aku pun melompat meninggalkan pria tua tersebut.

    Aku kembali berada di titik yang sore hari sebelumya kukunjungi, tepatnya di sepanjang badan Sungai Kapuas dan di sisi Taman Alun Kapuas.

    Tanpa pikir panjang, aku segera memasuki area taman demi menghindari terik matahari. Memasuki taman seluas satu setengah hektar tersebut, aku merasakan kesejukan yang luar biasa. Pandanganku menyapu segenap sisi taman, mencari tempat duduk beton yang masih kosong untuk kutempati.

    Tak sedikit warga lokal yang sengaja tidur di atas bangku-bangku itu. Mungkin mendinginkan badan di area taman menjadi rutinitas bagi mereka sehingga mereka bisa tertidur dengan lelapnya.

    Aku menemukan bangku kosong di sisi barat dan memutuskan meluangkan waktu untuk menikmati suasana. Dua puluh menit lamanya aku terkantuk-kantuk di area taman. Sejenak rasa laparku menjadi sirna.

    Sisi dermaga.
    Menyeberang Sungai Kapuas.
    Salah satu sisi Taman Alun Kapuas.
    Meninggalkan Taman Alun Kapuas.

    Tetapi beberapa saat aku tersadar bahwa terlalu lama berada di keteduhan taman akan membuatku kehilangan banyak waktu eksplorasi.

    Di tengah perlawanan terhadap rasa kantuk itu, aku berhasil memaksa diri untuk keluar dari area taman dan dalam waktu beberapa menit kemudian aku sudah berada di tepian Jalan Rahadi Usman.

    Perut yang lapar menimbulkan hasrat untuk melakukan wisata gastronomi, membalikkan niatan semula yang hendak menikmati makan siang seadanya.

    Berada di tepian jalan maka aku berselancar cepat di mesin pencari dan menemukan sebuah kuliner kenamaan di Pontianak. Aku memutuskan untuk bersantap siang di sana.

    Kondisi yang terik menyengat berhasil memaksaku untuk memesan transportasi online kembali. Aku pun mulai membuka aplikasi di telepon pintarku untuk mendapatkannya.

  • Sports Zone….Part of Aspire Zone

    <—-Previous Story

    Leaving Aspire Park to the north, I prepared to enter sports complex which stretched north to west from Aspire Zone. Quite spacious, this sports complex is dominated by a football field, either a field for practice or an official match field.

    “Private Field No Access”, a pink board was placed on a side of field and was clearly visible to anyone who passes through it.

    One of ten training fields in the area.

    Sneaking through a side of Aspire Park Children’s Playground, I was free to stand on a side of field where Qatar national football team trained.

    To the east of training ground is Sport Accelerator Building which is a pioneer in bringing together main sports businesses in Qatar under one roof. This blue and white alternating building looked dashing with The Torch Doha towering right behind it.

    Sport Accelerator.

    From here, I moved to the road to north. Parallel to the street where I left Aspire Park. A side of road directly presented a modern building titled Aspire Academy, an athlete school which was quite famous in Qatar and had been around for 16 years. Everything looked blue with wide glass walls and futuristic arches. I started entering the grounds of Aspire Academy, an athlete school

    Aspire Academy’s Football Performance Center.
    Aspire Academy’s Football Performance Center.

    Aspire Academy is equipped with the Aspire Dome, the largest multipurpose building in Qatar. An arena capable of hosting thirteen different sports at a time. This dome can be conditioned to be used in various weathers. It also has an indoor soccer field.

    Aspire Dome.

    The main landmark of Aspire Zone is in the southeast, namely the Khalifa International Stadium. Often called by the name National Stadium. Like their country’s magnificent airport, this football arena also bears the name of the Emir of Qatar, Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani. This is the official home of Qatar national football team with forty thousand seating capacity.

    Hosted by Qatar Football Association, this stadium was the witness where Australia was overthrown by the blue samurai squad with Tadanari Lee’s only goal in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup final.

    Khalifa International Stadium.
    Me and Khalifa International Stadium.

    Still in the Aspire Zone, stepping a little to the west of stadium, I was right under a 300 meter high hotel. Often referred to as Aspire Tower, although its official name is The Torch Doha.

    The work of an architectural consultant from France, this building is currently the tallest in Doha. This thirty-six-floor hotel has contributed to Qatar as a focal point for the 15th Asian Games.

    The Torch Doha.

    And right southeast of The Torch Doha is Aspire Mosque which is commonly used for worship by visitors.

    Aspire Mosque.

    The mosque was the end point of my journey in Sports Zone. How is it, Aspire Zone is cool, isn’t it?

    Let’s went to Villaggio Mall…. It was really close, walk a little more.

  • Menilik Keraton Surakarta Hadiningrat

    <—-Kisah Sebelumnya

    Beristirahat cukup nyenyak di Amaris Hotel Sriwedari membuatku bangun tepat saat adzan Shubuh berkumandang. Menyempatkan diri menikmati fajar dari balik jendela kaca kamar maka aku memutuskan mengguyur badan di bawah shower dengan air hangat setelahnya. Aku sengaja berlama-lama di bawah shower, menyempurnakan relaksasi otot setelah sejak kemarin lusa berkejaran dengan waktu dalam melakukan banyak sekali agenda survey dengan menjelajah Kota Solo.

    Setelah lebih dari setengah jam berbasuh, aku segera berbenah, merapikan tas dan bersiap diri untuk melakukan survey hari ketiga. Tepat pukul tujuh pagi, aku sudah berada di restoran hotel untuk bersarapan. Sedangkang Rahadian Sang Wakil Ketua Marketing Conference sudah berada di restoran itu semenjak setengah jam lalu. Dia merapat ke meja makanku ketika aku menyantap nasi goreng yang dipadu dengan mendoan dan kopi hangat. Kami berbincang dan membahas survey terakhir hari itu.

    Setelah tiga puluh menit menikmati berbagai sajian restoran, aku dan Rahadian mulai memesan taksi online menuju ke timur di daerah Baluwarti. Pagi itu keraton resmi milik  Kasunanan Surakarta menjadi tujuan survey pertama di hari ketigaku di Kota Solo. Tak lama menunggu di lobby, Toyota Agya warna hitam datang menjemput. Aku segera mendudukkan diri di jok depan dan Rahadian di jok belakang, kemudian taksi online mulai melaju sejauh dua kilometer dalam sepuluh menit untuk mencapai tujuan.

    Bangunan keraton yang telah berusia 277 tahun.

    Lima belas menit menjelang pukul delapan, aku tiba di Keraton Surakarta Hadiningrat. Hari itu waktu survey kurencanakan berlangsung singkat karena Rahadian akan pulang lebih cepat dengan mengejar keberangkatan Kereta Api Lodaya menuju Bandung pada pukul 13:00. Oleh karenanya, aku mendatangi keraton ketika jam operasionalnya belum juka dibuka.

    Aku dan Rahadian menikmati pelataran keraton yang juga difungsikan sebagai jalur lalu lintas satu arah. Tetapi ada satu bagian bangunan keraton yang sangat mencuri perhatian, yaitu sebuah menara setinggi tiga puluh meter yang tampak dari pelataran depan. Itulah Menara Sanggabuwana yang didirikan 38 tahun setelah bangunan keraton didirikan. Sudah bisa ditebak bahwa menara ini berfungsi sebagai menara pengawas karena keraton ini didirikan pada zaman Kolonialisme Belanda.

    Dikisahkan bahwa menara itu digunakan oleh Sri Susuhan Pakubuwono III untuk menemui Nyi Roro Kidul “Sang Ratu Pantai Selatan”.

    Seperti layaknya tata kota zaman-zaman kerajaan tempoe doeloe, Keraton Surakarta Hadiningrat diapit oleh alun-alun, yaitu Alun-Alun Lor (Utara) dan Alun-Alun Kidul (Selatan). Alur-Alur Lor adalah alun-alun yang lebih ramai, ditempat inilah acara “Sekatenan” (Pasar Malam) diselenggarakan untuk memperingati Maulud Nabi Muhammad SAW setiap tahunnya.

    Maka untuk mengeksplore area sekitar keraton, aku mulai melanjutkan perjalanan menuju Alun-Alun Lor dengan berjalan kaki.  Alun-Alun Lor ini berjarak tak lebih dari setengah kilomater dari keratin dan bisa ditempuh dengan berjalan kaki dalam sepuluh menit.

    Ada destinasi apakah di sekitar Alun-Alun Lor?

  • Practicing Penalty Kick at Aspire Park

    <—-Previous Story

    Indomie (Indonesian noodle) for 1.5 Rial I bought at Abdulla Ali Bumatar minimarket last night, finally accompanied my breakfast at Casper Hotel pantry. I was still reluctant to leave hotel, even though clock had fallen at eight, none other than because of cold air which succed to break my spirit.

    At ten o’clock in the morning, I started to force my steps and then waited for Karwa Bus number 12 to go to Qubaa Street, then continue with Karwa Bus number 301 to Doha Sports City which has an area of ​​not less than 250 hectares. This area is better known as Aspire Zone.

    Karwa Bus No 301.

    A hour journey, took me to my destination. I was dropped off at a bus stop at Al Furousiya Street. Soon, I would feel the coolness of Aspire Park which is part of Aspire Zone.

    From Al Furousiya Street I turned right and entered Al Waab Street. A kilometer later I turned left to take Aspire Park Road. Well, this Aspire Park is on the left side of this road. While on the right side of road lies a modern shopping center which is famous in Qatar because there is a Venice-style gondola tour in it, this shopping center is called Villaggio Mall.

    Aspire Park Road.
    You who have children, let’s measure their height here!

    Located in Baaya District in south of Qatar, this Aspire Park has a very long and comfortable running trail, some parts of this running trail even show a bouncing sensation when stepped on. Mileage indicator is also displayed at several points on the running trail.

    Aspire Park running trail.
    Distance marker.

    I started my exploration from the southern part of park which features hilly contours. My goal is to see the whole garden from a height, of course it would look more beautiful. Right at base of hilly contours, a skateboard track facility was built, while at the top of hill, eight exercise bikes were provided. From above it looks so spacious and beautiful Aspire Park.

    Skateboard track.
    Aspire Park views from the top of hill.
    Exercise bike in the south of park.

    Descending the small hill towards north, I returned to lowlands and entered park area as a whole. You can see large trunked trees, shade roofs with giant cloth umbrellas are also visible everywhere, providing other options for shelter other than under the trees.

    It was quiet….
    Umbrella shades.

    Meanwhile, the activities of residents seemed to start to get busy near noon. Several children were seen playing penalty kicks. The atmosphere of Qatari football was no less thick than my homeland football. Understandably Qatar is the winner of the 2009 AFC Asian Cup ago after beating defending champions Japan.

    The future Qatari footballer.

    Meanwhile, visitors don’t need to worry if they want to just relax, enjoy the day in the park with a cup of coffee or other snacks. Several shops are scattered in the sand trail area. Gharissa Ice cream, Ard Canaan Restaurant, Mobsto Coffee Truck and a well-known Coffeeshop Company are ready to pamper visitors.

    Coffeeshop Company.

    Set in the Aspire Tower or better known as Torch Doha as high as 300 meters, making Aspire Park as an artistic park. Seeing from all directions still beautiful, because of that, many people who visit this park.

    I came to a view of an artificial lake with a blend of bridges crossing its middle. I could see the tip of fountain spraying towards the bridge from both sides, if this fountain is turned on it will definitely become an artistic hood which passes over visitor heads who passing through the bridge.

    Aspire Lake.
    A flock of geese on Aspire Lake.

    Meanwhile, on a side of Aspire Lake there is a statue of a horse pulling a loaded cart. This is the work of Sarah Lucas Perceval in 2006 which became an iconic spot for visitors to take pictures.

    Shire Horse by Sarah Lucas Perceval.

    Then on the west side of the lake there is a playground area for children. This area is quite large and provides a variety of games. Making children feel at home for long in the park, also makes this park a favorite place to visit for families to spend their weekends or holidays.

    Aspire Park playground.

    Meanwhile in a part of park, a large pond is being built with a podium on its side. I didn’t know what was being made in this project. It appeared that this area was still closed and couldn’t be visited because construction activities were being carried out on a massive scale.

    A few moments later, in north of park I was standing and preparing to end my visitation. Now I was getting ready to enter the Sports Zone, which seemed to be dominated by the existence of Khalifa International Stadium.

    Let’s saw what was in this Sports Zone!.

    Got ready to enter the Sports Zone.

    Next Story—->

  • Maulidan di Istana Kadriah, Urung Dzuhur di Masjid Sultan Syarif Abdurrahman

    <—-Kisah Sebelumnya

    Aku berlari menuju area parkir karena pengemudi transportasi online itu telah menunggu lebih dari lima menit semenjak tiba.

    “Huffttt….Maaf bang jadi menunggu”, aku melontarkan maaf

    “Tidak apa-apa, Bang. Jadinya ke keraton ya, Bang, bukan ke pusat kota?”, dia meyakinkanku kembali

    “Dari keraton menuju pusat kota, transportas online gampang kan, bang? “

    “Oh nanti dari keraton lebih baik naik perahu aja, bang, menuju ke seberang selatan Kapuas. Murah kok paling cuma bayar dua puluh ribu”, dia memberikan alternatif menarik.

    Melajulah aku di sepanjang Jalan Khatulistiwa yang panas dan berdebu. Di beberapa titik tampak terdapat proyek perbaikan jalan.

    Sepanjang perjalanan si pengemudi transportasi online bercerita banyak mengenai berbagai kisah di balik Keraton Kadriah.

    Salah satu kejadian yang sedang hangat dibicarakan adalah pengangkatan istri kedua Sultan Pontianak menjadi Maha Ratu Suri Mahkota Agung Kesultanan Pontianak yang menimbulkan perdebatan, tentunya dengan istri pertama sang sultan. Hingga kemudian terjadi insiden pengeluaran paksa sang istri pertama dari istana saat penobatan.

    Cerita lainnya adalah masalah narkoba yang kerap terjadi di Kampung Beting yang merupakan perkampungan dimana Istana Kadriah berada. Pernah suatu ketika, Kepolisian Pontianak melakukan operasi masif yang dilakukan dari darat, laut dan udara sekaligus untuk menggerebek para pengedar narkoba di kampung tersebut.

    Mendengarkan cerita dengan penuh antusias  membuat perjalananku menjadi tak terasa. Tiga puluh menit berlalu dan aku sudah berada di gerbang istana. Aku turun dan perlahan memasuki halaman istana yang luas.

    Melintasi gerbangnya, aku mulai menapaki jalur pedestrian sepanjang dua ratus meter hingga tiba tepat di halaman istana. Melintasi pagar setinggi  tiga meter, aku memasuki area depan istana. Seperti eksterior keraton-keraton Melayu pada umumnya, aku menemukan pucuk-pucuk meriam di pekarangannya. Kali ini deretan meriam buatan Portugis dan Prancis yang mendominasi.

    Menghadap ke arah istana maka tampak bangunan dengan tiga tingkatan atap, berdindingkan kayu berwarna  dominan kuning dengan kelir hijau.

    Menaiki tangga menuju ke ruang utama, aku sedikit ragu karena keberadaan beberapa tamu yang duduk bersila di beberapa titik. Nampak beberapa pria sangat sibuk mempersiapkan banyak hal.  Setelah aku bertanya kepada salah seorang tamu wanita yang duduk di serambi, aku baru tahu bahwa sebentar lagi akan berlangsung acara maulidan di keraton.

    Tetapi dia justru meyakinkan bahwa aku masih boleh mengunjungi keraton, hanya saja dia menyarankanku untuk berkunjung dengan cepat sebelum istana ramai dengan tamu yang berangsur-angsur tiba.

    Oleh karenanya, tanpa pikir panjang, aku segera melakukan eksplorasi . Memasuki ruang utama, aku dihadapkan pada ruangan paling lebar dengan gelaran karpet hijau menuju ke singgasana.

    Di beberapa bagian dinding tampak beberapa pajangan foto-foto klasik milik Syarif Muhammad Alkadrie (Sultan ke-7) dan istrinya, yaitu Maha Ratu Suri Syecha Jamilah Syarwanie serta putranya yang bernama Pangeran Syarif Machmud Alkadrie serta foto dari Pangeran Adipati Sri Maharaja.

    Di sisi lain terdapat dua foto istri lain dari Sultan Syarif Muhammad Alkadrie yang bernama Syarifah Maryam Asseggaf (bergelar Maha Ratu Seberang) dan Encik Haji Aminah yang bergelar Mas Ratu Haji.

    Selain foto-foto beberapa sultan lainnya juga terdapat keterangan yang menyatakan bahwa Kerajaan Pontianak didirikan pada 23 Oktober 1771. Juga terdapat informasi mengenai Yayasan Sultan Hamid II di bagian dinding keraton yang lain.

    Gerbang terdepan Istana Kadriah.
    Mulai masuk pekarangan Istana Kadriah.
    Yuk masuk istana.
    Ruang utama istana.
    Pintu masuk istana.
    Serambi istana.

    Waktu terus berjalan cepat….

    Semakin berdatangannya tamu keraton, membuatku segera mengambil keputusan untuk undur diri dan kembali menapaki jalur semula untuk keluar dari gerbang terdepan keraton.

    Langkah kaki selanjutnya tertuju pada keberadaan Masjid Keraton Kadriah. Masjid itu berdiri di seberang jembatan. Masjid itu bernama Masjid Sultan Syarif Abdurrahman. Kumandang adzan Dzuhur mengiringi langkahku menuju masjid itu. Tetapi karena masih khawatir dengan kerumunan, aku memutuskan untuk tidak melakukan shalat Dzuhur di dalamnya. Aku akan menjama’ shalatku nanti saja di hotel.

    Menikmati sejenak bentuk arsitektur masjid dibawah teriknya siraman sinar matahari, aku segera memutuskan menuju dermaga. Sesuai anjuran pengemudi transportasi online yang mengantarkanku ke Istana Kadriah beberapa menit lalu, maka aku memutuskan menggunakan transportasi air saja demi menuju ke seberang selatan Sungai Kapuas.

    Masjid Sultan Syarif Abdurrahman.

    Titik tujuanku berikutnya adalah Taman Alun Kapuas yang hanya kulewati sore kemarin.

  • Cooking a Backpacker-style Menu in Qatar

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    Apart from visiting free tourist spots, cooking is a common thing that backpackers do to reduce spending on their travel days. Because they must also be good in creating reserve funds to anticipate unexpected costs. Likewise with my days in Qatar, cooking has become a routine every morning and night considering the living cost in Qatar isn’t cheap.

    That afternoon, it started on the return journey from Katara Cultural Village using Doha Metro. I headed for Souq Waqif Station and departed from Katara Station via Red Line and connected with Gold Line at Msheireb Station. This was my second trip using Doha Metro.

    Platform at Katara Station.
    This is a sign for toilets, prayer rooms and child care rooms…That’s funny..
    Doha Metro Red Line.

    From Souq Waqif Station I continued journey by Karwa Bus No. 12 from Al Ghanim Bus Station to go to Casper Hotel where I stayed while in Qatar. This was my 9th trip using Karwa Bus. The return journey that afternoon took two hours to arrive at the hotel. Before arriving, I had time to shop first at Abdulla Ali Bumatar minimarket which is located near the hotel to buy logistical needs until my last day in Qatar.

    Not a hotel, rather this is an inn.

    After finishing in bathing, I immediately performed maghrib prayer in congregation at the musholla near the inn. Entering relaxing time, I rushed to pantry to do routine night activities….Yes, cooking.

    Come on go to the pantry!

    The main food ingredient which I ate every day was Kerala Paratha bread made by GRANDMA Bakery and Sweets, quite cheap, I bought three parata sheets for 2 Rial. Three pieces of parata were more than enough to make me feel full.

    As for the side dish, I chose to buy the cheapest packaged sardines on display at minimarket. I give 3 Rial to get a can with three medium pieces of sardines in it. Because this was the cheapest sardines, of course it would affect the taste, the taste was plain. It looked like sardines poured into palm oil only.

    Paratha Bread.
    Reheat the packaged sardines.

    When traveling, luxury food isn’ t my concern so far. The most important thing is how to keep trying to eat three times a day at an affordable price but nutritionally feasible. So I can be sure that I will rarely eat at a restaurant, except if I am going in a business trip….. Yes, because a business trip is paid by my office.

    Then, how about my menu on next day, before starting my fourth day exploration in Qatar. Do you want to know?…..

    Here is it:

    Very simple breakfast, right?
    It’s a noodle from my country. I found in Qatar.

    So that’s one of my many ways to save money while exploring Qatar. Don’t be imitated….It’s so torturous….Hahaha.

    Come on, let’s go for exploration…

    Next Story—->

  • Bird Apartments in Katara Cultural Village

    <—-Previous Story

    Around 14:00 hours, in hot Qatar weather I started to step out of Katara Station. Looked like it will be the last destination on my second day exploration in a country which was once nicknamed “Catara” before the XVIII Century. It would be a long exploration because I would surround a cultural center area in Doha which has an area of ​​no less than 35 hectares. This area is the creation of the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, Qatar.

    Heading east after exiting the station, a iconic building which I encountered was a giant red gift combined with a round green room like a giant pipe in a children’s game. That’s the Katara Cultural Village Children’s Mall which is located right at the start of Katara Plaza.

    This gift-shaped building is an icon of Katara Cultural Village Children’s Mall.

    Then, I was getting ready to enter the main area of plaza with a wide expanse of andesite ground and surrounded by classic buildings similar to medieval architecture. At several points in the plaza, a coffee shop area is placed, exactly in front of Katara Hall. Some of the stands appear to be owned by Craves, Talabat, Vulcan, EXIT55 and Scary Burger.

    Katara Plaza.
    Katara Plaza.

    Katara Cultural Village has a triangular-shaped area overlooking the beach. Located on the East coast of Qatar, bordered by Shakespeare Street to the north, Al Moasses Street to the South, Lusail Expressway to the West and Katara Beach to the East. While the center of this area is located in an open amphiheater overlooking Al Yazwa Public Beach or public better known as Katara Beach.

    Amphitheater as Katara Multi Purpose Hall.
    Al Yazwa Public Beach.

    Before heading to the center of area, I followed the southern part of amphitheater. Then entering a block titled Virtual Art Center which its top is protected by eight stretches of cloth which effectively dampen the heat of city’s air. Contemporary art can also be seen on display in several spots on this block.

    Visual Art Center yard.
    Contemporary artwork.
    A replica of the caftan commonly worn by Sultan Suleyman Kanuni of Ottoman Empire.
    Each work of art on display is provided with an explanation of it.

    In this yard is provided a Katara Club Car (boogie car) which is a free service for visitors to Katara Cultural Village. Because I wanted to really enjoy the situation so I decided to just keep walking.

    Then I arrived at the southernmost building of this cultural area, namely Katara Mosque, people call it as Friday Mosque. A beautiful blue dominant mosque with a minaret on a side. I took time to pray Asr in this mosque before I went further to explore. It appears that some non-Muslim tourists are allowed to entering it but are still required to wear long pants for men and headscarves for women.

    Katara Mosque.
    The interior of Katara Mosque.

    While next to mosque there are a pair of tower which functioned as a residence for pigeons in the area. This is the most iconic spot that is often hunted by tourists because every time they search for Katara in search engine, a picture of this building appears. Great….. Doves also have apartments.

    Me in Bird Towers.

    Then I passed several spots such as Youth Hobbies Center, Katara Art Studios until I reached the beach side after passing Saffron Lounge Indian Restaurant with an exterior in the form of a large black key placed in the courtyard right in the middle of the restaurant’s dining table and chairs.

    Saffron Lounge.

    At the end of my visit, I took time to sit in the amphitheater which was being rehearsed for The 4th Cultural Diversity Festival which according to information would be attended by 14 participating countries.

    The outside of amphitheater.

    That’s a flashback of my visit at Katara Cultural Village. Time to went back to hotel and rest for preparing third day exploration on the next day.

    Take a break for a moment……..

    Next Story—->